National Hate Crimes Awareness Week 2024

Last week was National Hate Crime Awareness Week (October 12-19) and our Neighborhood Policing teams have been busy engaging with our communities and working with partner agencies across Avon and Somerset.

Throughout the week, the main aim of this activity was to raise awareness of what hate crime is, how to report it and how we support victims by working with partners such as Stand Against Racism & Inequality (SARI) and The Diversity Trust.

A hate crime is when someone commits a crime against you because of who you are or who they perceive you to be because of your race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or gender.

Highlights of the week

The week started with the raising of the National Hate Crime Awareness Week flag on College Green, Bristol, organized by Bristol Hate Crime & Discrimination Service and Bristol City Council

Then, together with the Avon Fire & Rescue Service, the flag was raised in front of the Police and Fire Department headquarters.

The Radstock Neighborhood Policing team visited Swallow in Westfield, a charity supporting teenagers and adults with learning disabilities.

In Bath, a neighborhood team hosted a free wheelchair basketball taster session for the third year in a row. They were joined by SARI, Victim Support, Bath Frame Running Club, Nova Sports Coaching and Bath Romans Wheelchair Basketball Club.

The Hartcliffe Neighborhood Policing team had a busy week which included visits to HCYP, the Hartcliffe Club for Young People.

In South Somerset, officers visited Elroi Manor Care Home with SARI and the Balsam Center with 2BU and The Diversity Trust.

To report a hate crime, visit www.avanandsomerset.police.uk/report/hate-crime or call 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.

If you don’t feel able to report it to the police, you can contact Stand Against Racism and Inequality (SARI) via their website: www.sariweb.org.uk

You can also report 100% anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.